Compression post to backing plate?

[BravoVita]

Is there any reason I can not attach the stainless steel top plate of a compression post directly to the stainless steel backing plate of the mast bolts? I see a lot of photos with a wood spacer between the two and don't know if there is a reason for this.

[Terra Nova]

The spacer is only a shim to facilitate getting the compression post in and out. There's no reason you can't bolt the mast step backing plate and compression post top plate together.